Hills bullish over Etlaala chance
Richard Hills is hoping the real Etlaala will turn up in tomorrow’s Duke of York Hearthstead Homes Stakes on the Knavesmire.
The four-year-old was considered a Classic contender at the start of last season but he proved a better performer when switched back to sprint trips.
Although he failed to get a win on the board last term, he has won both starts over seven furlongs this season and big-race pilot Hills is hoping he can show his best tomorrow.
He told Teletext: “We are dropping back to six furlongs which I think is his best trip and go from stall five which I’m happy with as he likes a bit of room to race.
“The ground at York can often be softer than people think but Etlaala is by Selkirk out of a Night Shift mare so he should handle a bit of cut.
“He is not straightforward though and can pull hard at any stage of the race. But when things do go right for him, he’s an exceptionally good horse.
“There’s about three different Etlaalas but if the good one turns up he’s well capable of winning a race like this.”
Ladbrokes make Etlaala the 6-1 second favourite behind 11-2 market leader Gift Horse while Eisteddfod is 8-1 despite finishing only third at Thirsk on his seasonal bow.
The five-year-old was four lengths adrift of Welsh Emperor that day and Matthew Budden, who represents owners Elite Racing, expects him to fare better when the pair clash again.
“He’s really well and in good form and I’m sure he will improve on his seasonal debut performance,” said Budden.
“We were a bit disappointed with that but I’m sure he’ll put up a much better display at York.
“We found he just had a niggling problem after the race which hopefully Paul Cole (trainer) has sorted out and I’m sure we’ll see a much better display from him.”
Beckermet was sixth at Thirsk and he takes his chance again along with Kevin Ryan’s smart sprinting prospect Balthazaar’s Gift.
The three-year-old will have to face older rivals for the first time as he returns to action in the £100,000 contest.
The Xaar colt won last season’s Listed Rockingham Stakes over course and distance and Kevin Ryan believes he will appreciate the current easy conditions.
“He’s in good form and he will love the ground,” said Ryan.
“It’s a tall order taking on the older horses at this stage but there’s not a lot of options for him.
“Whatever he does now is a bonus as he will be closer to the older horses in the second half of the year but he is a classy horse.”
Duke of York Hearthstead Homes Stakes, Ladbrokes bet: 11-2 Gift Horse, 6-1 Etlaala, Welsh Emperor 7-1 Somnus, 8-1 Eisteddfod, Moss Vale, 11-1 Quito, 14-1 Balthazaar’s Gift, 20-1 Fonthill Road, Philharmonic, Steenberg, The Kiddykid, 25-1 bar.
